The Impersonator Part 2

Posted on Tue Mar 17th, 2026 @ 12:46am by Lieutenant Amanda Rose & Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Endymion Tox

1,413 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Counseling Office

ON:

Amanda led Tox and Xavier to her office. When she got there, she purposely took a seat in a chair, which would force the two onto a couch. Her tone was all business, "So, which one of you wants to start?"

Xavier sat on the opposite side of the couch to give Tox room. He flushed green looking at Amanda.

Tox turned towards Xavier bending one leg under him so he could face the Vulcan. His eyes set on where Xavier had covered the necklace.

Xavier spoke. "Counselor perhaps Mr. Tox needs to rest..."

"Where did you get that necklace?"

Xavier looked down on the floor. He said nothing.

"Where?"

Xavier looked at Amanda. "Counselor...." He said as if imploring her to stop this, to send them away.

"No," Amanda insisted firmly but politely. "Tell him, Xavier. We've talked about this a long time and clarity is required now."

Xavier let out a shuttered breath. "Terran system. Pluto Resort on the moon Kerberos. I arrived after after a friend of mine left, stayed in the same room. At the reception was a package containing a small book." He reached behind and pulled out a small book from his back pocket and handed it to Tox. "It was hidden in the back. In the envelope the symbol of the planet Pluto which shall always be a planet no matter what scientists think."

Tox took the book, a small gothic poetry book, his eyes filling with tears. He flipped through it and there right in the middle was a small ribbon bookmark marking Edger Allen Poe's The Raven. In his own youthful writing the inscription read, To Pluto, this Poem made me think of you. The longing he has for Lenore the yearning to see her when he can't I can understand that. When you read this know that I am thinking, yearning to see you. One day.

Silently the tears spilled down Tox's face. "It took me forever to find this book and and that necklace. Since we couldn't see one another, I thought we could at least share something. I arraigned to have my room passed onto you so you could see what I saw, stay in the place where I stayed, maybe a way to be be together without being together and this...to have something of me. My favorite poem you could read."

Tox placed the book on the sofa and stood. "I need to go." He started towards the door.

Amanda firmly stated, "Computer, lock the doors to counseling and do not reopen until I command."

The computer answered, "Confirmed, the doors will not reopen without Counselor Amanda Rose's authorization."

She looked sternly at Tox and instructed him, "Sit, Tox. Nobody is leaving this room until we get everything out."

Tox stared at her wide eyed. "Counselor! Haven't I been made a fool of enough for one day. I would like to go to my quarters and rest."

"You're not being made a fool, Tox," Amanda replied, changing to a softer, yet firm tone. "And if you go to your chambers to rest, you're taking Xavier with you." She did not completely wait for Tox's reaction. "You're sweet but very naive. Do you remember that scavenger hunt we went through...?"

He gave a nod.

"Who do you think set that up? Who gave you the clues?" It was so painfully obvious to the Captain and I.

Xavier stayed quiet. He just listened his hands clasped tightly in his lap.

Tox looked over at him and then at the counselor. "But he lied to me. A lie of omission is a lie."

"Tox," Amanda started patiently. "You cannot tell me that you do not omit things or that you tell the absolute truth all the time, can you?"

"Right to the heart Counselor." Tox deadpanned. He looked over at Xavier whose Vulcan mask had cracked and he looked miserable. "So you're Pluto. My very own God of the Underworld Vampire Valentine."

Xavier raised and eyebrow. "Your what?"

Tox pointed to Amanda. "She gets it."

Amanda shrugged and apologetically told Xavier, "You do have a rather gothic and vampiric quarters. It seems that attracts Xavier."

Tox sighed. "Look, folks this is all...a lot. Counselor, I appreciate what you're doing but I need some time to process all this."

"What's to process, Tox?" Amanda asked. "That you have been loved for many years? That fate finally brought you together? That it has been by someone that you are attracted to? You have everything that anyone could ever want, Tox.... Why eschew it? I have to admit that I'm envious."

She looked over at Xavier and asked, "May I ask why you're suddenly being so quiet, Xavier? You were rather talkative before coming out tonight. Talk to him."

He sighed. He truly was at a loss for words. "Perhaps...we should take a step back and allow Endymion time to come to terms with everything."

Tox's eyes filled with tears. His Pluto, was the only one who knew he hated the slug in his belly and taking the name felt like a slap in the face daily. He'd made the best of things but...he was not Tox he was just a Trill trying to come to terms with the fact that he had to host a parasite for the rest of his life, one he hadn't wanted.

Xavier turned to Tox. "Perhaps we can start slowly in getting to know one another in person. I may have some ideas if you are willing to trust me."

Xavier pulled out the poetry book and took the necklace placing it in the back pocket that had originally housed it. He handed it to Tox. "Take this. Let us get to know one another and if you find me worthy again then you can give it to me yourself. Until then I entrust my most prized possession to your care."

Tox looked at Xavier's hand. He looked at the counselor and then back at Xavier. Slowly he reached for the book and gave a nod.

Xavier turned to the counselor. "Perhaps we can let him rest a bit?"

For an answer, Amanda nodded at Xavier. "I do have a certain Ops officer that will be needing counseling or a court martial," she informed the both of them. "So, I probably should get to that. I believe we have made sufficient progress here today to allow you both to go on your way."

She smiled warmly at both of them before saying, "Computer, this is Counselor Amanda Rose, please unlock the doors and permit Lieutenants Tox and Xavier to exit, should they so choose."

The computer answered, "Acknowledged. Doors are unlocked. Lieutenants Tox and Xavier may exit counseling."

Tox all but ran. Xavier stayed behind. "Counselor. Do not be too harsh on the man...I can understand his yearning for Tox and his...insecurity. It was not right but pehaps mercy is called for?"

"You are rather softhearted and forgiving for someone who could have had his love stolen from an imposter," Amanda observed. Her voice softened and a smile snuck onto her face, as she stuck out a hip in one direction while placing her hand on it. "Now, look, Xavier, have I ever sounded like a person that would try to drill anyone out of service?"

"I do not know. You can be scary sometimes... which is not necessarily a bad thing."

"Me? Scary?" Amanda asked, shocked. "I'm as sweet as sugar!"

"And just as dangerous. But that, again, is not a bad thing." His lip twitched. "I should go. I have some meditating to do and some thinking to do. Winning him over will not be easy."

"I'm dangerous?" Amanda asked, crossing her eyes, thoroughly perplexed. Her face righted herself as she smiled, "You have him. He just does not completely accept it yet. Love always finds a way, Xavier."

"Perhaps. As for dangerous you have a way of getting people to tell you more then they were planning to. It is a good gift to have when you're a counselor." He sighed. "Alright. I shall leave you. Thank you for your help today Counselor."

"You are most welcome, Xavier." She nodded her head towards him and said, "I will always be here for you."


Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Endymion Tox
Head Nurse (NPC)
USS Ontario

 

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